Barrington, NH – Richard A. (Dick) McKenney, 80, passed away May 13, 2022 at his home, surrounded by his loved ones.
Born in Biddeford, Maine on November 3, 1941, Dick was the son of George and Georgiana (Lewis) McKenney. One of six children, he learned his wit and toughness from the many adventures they had in childhood. Dick was a 1959 graduate of Merrimack (NH) High School and 1964 graduate of the University of New Hampshire. A licensed professional engineer in the state of New Hampshire, he worked at Manchester (NH) Gas Company and for 30 years at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard until his retirement in 1994. He then worked as the school district representative for S.A.D. 35 on the construction of the new Marshwood High School in 1999. In his retirement, he continued to work as a consultant in a variety of areas.
Dick was an active member of the sporting community of Eliot, Maine, coaching T-Ball, Little League Teams, and Saturday Elementary School basketball. He coached the Marshwood High School Cross Country Team in 1994 and was involved in the Marshwood Wrestling program at all levels, including serving as President of the Wrestling Boosters. He successfully organized the New England Wrestling Tournament held at UNH. Dick founded and directed the first Eliot Festival Day 5K Road Race, now one of the most popular 5K races in the state of Maine, in 1993. He was a well-known running figure in Eliot and the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, competing in road races in the Seacoast area for 20 years and running the Boston Marathon in 1981.
Dick's determination was unstoppable. He tackled many challenges undaunted, such as building his own home (twice), running a marathon (Boston) and disputing municipal regulations. He enjoyed tinkering and problem solving, and remained actively engaged in personal engineering projects even into his 80th year.
Dick met his wife of 57 years, Theresa, at the University of New Hampshire. He was a wonderful family man who enjoyed spending time with his children, grandchildren, and great-granddaughters. He loved his children and was very proud of each of them. A devoted fan of their sports seasons, he attended every game possible – always arriving punctually so as not to miss anything. He loved to share all the details of what they were doing with anyone who would listen!
Dick and Theresa enjoyed spending holidays and summers with their nine grandchildren, whom they cared for while their parents were away. Over the years, they traveled for weeks to Richmond, VA; Toronto, ON; Chattanooga, TN; and the Netherlands. Lots of happy summer days were spent with the family at Swains Lake (where Dick and Theresa resided full time beginning in 2014), on the Saco River for their traditional overnight canoe trip, hiking in New Hampshire and Maine, and picking blueberries.
Dick was an active member of First Congregational Church of Eliot, UCC, where he enjoyed singing in the choir, and appeared in the 2012 production of Godspell. He also sang with the Community Chorus of South Berwick. Dick was an avid reader and a student of history, always with an interest in learning.
Dick was predeceased by his parents, George Alfred and Georgiana (Lewis) McKenney; his brothers, George and Kenneth McKenney; and a grandson, Daniel Mayo. His presence will be forever missed by his loving wife, Theresa, his four children, Cheryl Mayo (Damon), Richard McKenney (Pamela), Kevin McKenney (Susan), and Scott McKenney; eight grandchildren, Bridget Omberg (Tucker), Deborah Mayo,
and Matthew, Grace, Skyler, Nicholas, Logan, and Mitchell McKenney; and two great-granddaughters, Julia and Allison Omberg.
Friends are invited to visit with Dick's family on Sunday May 22 from 4-6pm in the JS Pelkey and Son Funeral Home 125 Old Post Road Kitttery Maine 03904. A funeral will be held at the First Congregational Church of Eliot, UCC, 1361 State Rd, Eliot, ME 03903 on May 23 at 11am .
Graveside services at Woodlawn Cemetery, Biddeford, ME will be private.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to First Congregational Church Of Eliot,UCC 1361 State Rd Eliot ME 03903. Arrangements are entrusted to J.S. Pelkey & Son Funeral Home, Kittery, Maine, and condolences may be expressed at www.JSPelkeyFuneralHome.com.